Fairfax County Park Authority Museum Collections

Fairfax County Park AuthorityMuseum Collections703-631-1429

About Fairfax County Museum Collections

In support of its mission to protect and maintain the county’s
heritage, the Fairfax County Park Authority collects and preserves
the material culture that represents our heritage from prehistory to
present day. In addition to the original structures and
archaeological materials at its historic parks, the Park Authority
collects objects, documents and other materials:

Associated with the history of Fairfax County

Associated with the early history of county park sites

Associated with the families who lived and worked at these sites

Associated with individual communities

Representing the general history, growth and development of Fairfax
County

These materials support interpretation at Park Authority historic
sites and in outreach exhibits, promoting the enjoyment,
understanding and appreciation of Fairfax County material heritage
and historic resources by its citizens and visitors.

Museum Quality Care The Park
Authority follows museum practices and professional standards of
stewardship in caring for and preserving its Historic Object
Collections and maintaining them as a legacy for future
generations.

The Park Authority defines stewardship as the careful,
responsible and sustainable management of the natural, cultural and
historic resources entrusted to the Park Authority by the citizens
of Fairfax County for present and future generations.

The permanent Historic Object Collection consists of nearly six
thousand objects dating from the 18th to the mid-20th century,
displayed in long-term and changing exhibits at Park Authority historic
site museums and parks and in special community outreach exhibits.

Some selected highlights:

A pair of 18th century American heartback mahogany side chairs, made
in Philadelphia and original to Sully

A 19th century desk on frame, used by the miller at Colvin Run Mill

A log cabin quilt made in Fairfax County

A coiled straw basket with lid, attributed to African-Americans
living at Fruitvale Plantation near Chantilly

A broom machine made and used by a man from the Colvin Run community

Other significant
collections

Quilts, coverlets and clothing dating from the 19th and early 20th
centuries

Civil War-era maps, engravings, and artifacts from Fairfax County

Handwritten accounts from the Machen family farm at Walney

The Carlotta Gonzales and Richard Lahey Collection of furniture and
folk art

Collections of 19th century grist milling, cobbler and woodworking
tools

Archives and Special Collections

Archives
Collection

Over four thousand archival items - photographs, maps,
letters and other documents - support interpretation of site history,
document the period of Park Authority ownership and restoration of
historic structures, and preserve the history of site ownership.
Similar materials illustrate the early history of Fairfax County
communities like Floris, Centreville and Bailey’s Crossroads.

Special Collections

The Charles Newlon Collection of photographs of Centreville,
Virginia

Oral history transcripts describing daily life in Fairfax County
from the early to middle 20th century

Documentation files for the African-American community at Sully,
circa 1746-1850

The Park Authority welcomes donations of objects, documents and
other materials that meet the criteria above. Finite space and
stewardship resources may play a role in making the best decision for
acceptance of offered materials

Donated objects and historic items help support exhibits, research
and interpretation at Park Authority historic sites and outreach
displays. They promote the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation
of Fairfax County material heritage and historic resources by its
citizens and visitors.

Park Authority staff members are happy to talk with you about
acquiring materials associated with park sites and Fairfax County
history. If you have historic materials you would like to donate to
the Park Authority, please
email the Collections Manager or call 703-631-1429.

Volunteering
Help is always needed in Collections! Volunteers assist behind the
scenes with annual inventory, installation of special exhibits, and
researching, cataloging, cleaning and storing historic artifacts.
Collections Management volunteers receive special training in
handling and moving museum objects. If you are detail-oriented and
enjoy working with antiques and historic objects,
send email to the Collections Manager or call 703-631-1429.

Internships
The Fairfax County Park Authority is proud of its ability and
opportunity to provide a variety of intern programs for individuals
seeking on-the-job experience in all aspects of Park Authority
operations. Read More about
Intern Opportunities with the Fairfax County Park Authority.
Museum collections internships are part of the Resource Management
Division.

Caring For Family Treasures

Ten things you can do to protect your family treasures at
home

Document your treasures. Take photographs of them and create a
family treasures album. Keep a record of family members who owned
them, how and when they were first acquired, where they were used,
and any other interesting information about each object's history.

Inspect your family treasures regularly. Look for signs of recent
damage, pests, dirt, or deterioration. If you encounter extensive
pest infestation, discuss concerns for your heirlooms with a
professional exterminator.

Handle your treasures gently. Wash your hands to remove any harmful
oils naturally occurring in your skin before handling and lift
pieces carefully from their most stable point. Avoid placing
fragile objects where they might easily be bumped by people walking
by or opening a door or window.

Keep temperature settings constant. Stable temperature and
humidity conditions in your home that are comfortable for you are
generally acceptable for most family treasures too. To stay on
the safe side, avoid storing them in the attic or basement or
displaying them near doors and windows that are frequently opened
and closed. Leave the fan in the "ON" position on your
home temperature gauges: keeping the air circulating will help
balance and stabilize temperature and humidity levels throughout
your home. These steps will help avoid harmful temperature
extremes, sudden changes in humidity, and development of mold and
mildew.

Protect your treasures from light damage. Light can cause colors
to fade, wood to bleach, and fibers to become brittle - all
ultimately hastening deterioration. Avoid placing objects in
direct light, close blinds or drapes, and turn off lights when no
one is using a room. Change the placement of objects around a
room from time to time. Reproduce family photos and store the
originals.

Protect your treasures from air pollution. Avoid placing objects
over a fireplace, wood stove or in a room frequented by smokers
and clean chimneys and stovepipes regularly. Soot and smoke can
disfigure objects, dulling original colors and brightness,
darkening surfaces and coating them with an overall stain.

Mount your treasures for display safely and securely. Have them
mounted and framed professionally using quality acid-free
materials. Avoid using commercial tapes, glues, and metal clips
and pins. Distribute the weight of large pieces like quilts
across the entire surface to reduce stress on one area. Check
hooks and wires on frames periodically to ensure they are secure.

Keep your treasures clean. Regularly dust objects with a magnetic
cloth or soft artist's brush or gently vacuum with clean brush
attachment on low suction. Dust can soil, abrade or attract
pests. Always wash antique textiles by hand, not in the machine.
Avoid using household detergents, cleaning and waxing supplies.
Remember: "The best treatment is the least treatment."
Consult a professional for advice on cleaning and repairs.

Use acid-free materials to store your treasures. Avoid using
plastic bags, commercial tapes, glues and pins. Unfold and lay
paper and textile items flat. Large objects such as quilts can be
gently folded, padding folds to prevent creasing, or rolled with
acid-free padding. Stuff clothing items such as christening
gowns, wedding dresses and shoes with acid-free tissue to
maintain their shape. Store fragile pieces in single layers or
else avoid placing heavier items on top of them.

Following these guidelines will help make your treasures last
through the years, to be enjoyed and shared with other family
members. As part of your legacy when you are ready to pass your
heirlooms on to children and grandchildren, pass along these
guidelines too.

Got a question about the care and preservation of a family
treasure?
Email the Collections Manager or call 703-631-1429 for help or
direction to appropriate resources.

The Fairfax County Park Authority provides access to its
Museum Collections for educational and research
purposes in support of its mission to preserve and interpret its
historic resources and to encourage their enjoyment, understanding
and appreciation by the public. These exhibits represent only a small
portion of our collections.

Individuals may commonly use Park Authority images for limited
non-commercial personal or educational use, or for fair use as
defined in the United States copyright laws. The credit line:
"Fairfax County Park Authority Historic Collections" must be
included. Images may not be otherwise reproduced by any means without
express written permission of the Park Authority.

Contact the
Collections Management office at 703-631-1429 for permission to
reproduce an image, to view the collection or for more information.